The Bizarre Ball (Batman Fanfic)
Tonight was New Years Eve, and with it, came the annual Wayne ball. Though just a handful of months ago, something made this particular ball quite special. For a handful of months ago, Superman saved a distant planet from a war that was rapidly tearing it apart. While most were eager to remain upon their planet to rebuild, one did not wish to stay.
That one's name was Bazera, a bubbly madwoman with skin of lilac and hair of auburn. But this wasn't unusual, the madness that is - in fact, as Superman found, madness was key to both her planet and culture. Hell, the war broke out due to a force invading that wished to bring logic and reason to her people. They'd even been so mad as to reject the Green Lanterns aid, because their rigid rationality did nothing but make them panic further.
So, Superman brought her back to Earth with him and introduced her to the rest of the Justice League. She was sweet to each of them, if not a bit overly hyper and bombarding them with endless questions, but one she found particularly entertaining; that of course, being Batman. He told her oh so many things, so many wild, horrific things, about this wonderful, awful place known as 'Gotham'. And within moments, she knew where she wanted to be.
And so, here she was, having the finishing touches of her handmaid dress primed and prospered by the oh so loyal Alfred, who wore a beaming smile as she giggled and clapped in celebration of his work. He had come to like her quite a bit - though admittedly, that wasn't the only reason she was to be his date for the ball.
One of the many things Batman and the others had to explain to her, with quite the worrying level of difficult, was the mere concept of death. For you see, the people of her planet were not only immortal, but operated on what Flash coyly yet accurately remarked as 'cartoon physics'. They lived the lives of Fey, with no cares for going away from anything.
Which was fine for themselves and their own planet, but not so much for a planet full of people that very much -did- suffer all of those things. As such, Batman wished to keep a close eye on her at all times, to make sure she didn't do something truly horrible; not out of malice, but simply out of playfulness.
Regardless of why she was here though, she adored this city already, and Earth just as much. After all, madness was sacred, and to her, this planet was nonsense. One of the things she found funniest about Earth so far, was some of the stories - the stories humans wrote of places just like her planet. Hence why, the dress she'd asked Alfred so sweetly for, being quite familiar.
A deep blue dress, big and poofy, with a white apron overtop it, and auburn hair tucked back in a black bow. She giggled, swooshing it back and forth as Alfred finished, standing back to his full height and tucking his hands together in front of him. He sighed contently; it'd been so long since he'd heard laughter in this mansion - beyond the drunken revelers anyway.
"Aren't I pretty?" She cooed, her voice shockingly deep for her soft, bright features. Alfred chuckled, nodding. "Of course, Miss Bazera. Only the best for such a sweet soul. Is your room to your liking?" Bazera hummed sweetly, still swooshing her dress side to side. "Oh, it's nice - the bed is super squishy! Can I have more candy though?" He tilted his head with a soft smirk. "You already finished your bowl?"
She nodded with another mad little giggle. "Mhm!" He let out a brief giggle of his own. "Goodness. Don't worry dear, I'll make sure to prepare sweets each and every day. It'll be quite refreshing really - it's been decades since Master Bruce's sweet-tooth days..." She hummed again, beaming that bright, though admittedly fang-filled smile to him.
The door creaked open, turning the muffled revelry out in the ballroom much clearer, as Bruce peeked inside. He offered a faint smile, though it faded quickly, upon seeing her dress. Bazera curtsied to him with another giggle, but Alfred's smile faded nearly as quickly, seeing the look upon his master's face.
"Something wrong, sir?" He said softly, already knowing the answer deep down. Bruce moved a bit further into the room but still kept to the doorway. "Your dress..." He began, Bazera tilting her head. "Yeah? Don't you like it? It's just like-" "Alice, I know." Bruce interrupted. His gaze moved to Alfred, who gave him a defiant pout in response, before looking towards Bazera. "Please pardon Master Bruce, Miss Bazera. He can be rather paranoid about some of the people in this city-"
"-but I assure you, no harm will come to you while I yet live." Bazera's smile swiftly returns, nodding eagerly. "Okay!" She hopped off the little platform she'd been standing upon, moving to give Alfred a big hug, which he gladly accepted. "You're soooo wise, Mr. Caterpillar!" She said singsong with another mad giggle, before running off to stand beside Bruce. "Come on, come on! I wanna dance, I wanna dance!" She said, tugging on Bruce's hand as she hopped up and down on her heels.
Bruce was silent for a moment, before nodding, managing a smile, as they headed out into the ballroom. Even with how crowded and loud the party was, nearly everyone turned to look as Bruce came back into view, this time arm-in-arm with a newcomer. Many muttered between each other as Bazera eagerly tugged him along to the center of the room, where the dance floor resided.
As they neared the center, the familiar voice of a reporter cut through the music. "Mr. Wayne!" Bruce turned to the voice, as Vicki Vale waved her hand and stepped forward, adjusting her long dress as to not trip on her way towards them. "Sorry to interrupt but, if I may ask - who's this?" Bruce swiftly put on his billionaire playboy smile, with a cocked brow and an arm around Bazera's waist. "Hate to disappoint you, Vicki, but this is my date to the ball."
He looked to Bazera, letting her introduce herself. She eagerly waved, beaming that fang-filled smile once more, said fangs making Vicki's smile -almost- falter, but it held strong. "Hi-hi! I'm Bazera! Vicki, right? Super-duper nice to meetcha!" Vicki slowly nodded, her deep voice just throwing her off further, and making others gathered glance all over again.
"Ah...yes, lovely to meet you. If it's not too much to ask - do you...file your teeth?" She said, gesturing to the rows of fangs. Bazera put a finger to her lips and giggled again. "No, no, silly! They're just like this! Do you like them?" Vicki was about to comment, but Bruce swiftly pulled her upon the dancefloor by her waist. "That's enough for tonight, Vicki." He said sternly, sternly enough at those watching swiftly turned away out of embarrassment.
He pulled her in close once they got to the center, and he began to lead her into a swaying dance. She pouted a bit. "Did I do something wrong?" He shook his head. "No, she's just a reporter. They always fish for things like that, it's part of their job. Just try to stick with me, okay? There's a lot of people in this city who will take advantage of people like you." She hummed, leaning forward to rest her head on his shoulder. "Okay. Thank you."
Bruce sighed softly, keeping her arms wrapped tightly around her, closing his eyes and letting himself relax against the sound of the music. Alfred was right - a cheerful presence like hers was dearly needed in this mansion, even if he wasn't as good as admitting it as he was.
